Education is highly valued in Bulgaria, and both public and private schools are strong, giving families a dependable foundation on which to build their children’s learning.
How the Bulgarian school system works
Structure & ages
Bulgaria has compulsory preschool and school education. Preschool (kindergarten) is mandatory from age 4; school generally starts at 6–7, and compulsory schooling runs to age 16. Stages are: Primary (Grades 1–4), Lower secondary (5–7), First upper-secondary stage (8–10), and Second upper-secondary stage (11–12). National external assessments occur after Grades 4, 7, and 10; state matriculation exams (DZI) occur after Grade 12.
School calendar
The school year begins on 15 September and ends in late May/June, depending on grade. It is divided into two terms, with breaks for Christmas, Easter, and the summer break.
Cost
State/municipal schools are tuition-free; since 2024/25, textbooks are free for Grades 1–12. Families should still budget for meals, transport, activities, and occasional school funds.
Languages
In Public schools in Bulgaria, the language of instruction is Bulgarian. Many schools teach foreign languages from an early age. “Language high schools” (езикови гимназии) intensify foreign-language study in Grade 8 and often teach some subjects through the target language.
Bulgarian as a foreign language
Migrant students are entitled to additional Bulgarian-language instruction to support inclusion, provided free under the state standard (e.g., per Ordinance No. 6/2016).
FAQ
What types of schools can my child attend in Bulgaria?
Public Bulgarian schools (tuition-free)
These follow the national curriculum; admissions for Grade 1 are handled by municipalities using catchment rules and published rankings/rounds. This is the default choice for long-term settlers, especially for younger children (ages 4–10) who can pick up Bulgarian quickly. Here are some more details:
State Language High Schools and Mathematics High Schools
Selective public schools that begin at Grade 8 and specialize in English, German, Spanish, French (and others), and Mathematics. Placement is based on Grade-7 national exams, and Grade 8 features an intensive language year. These schools are widely regarded as academically strong.
Private international/bilingual schools
Predominantly in Sofia, with some options in Varna. Programmes include IB, British (IGCSE/A-Level), American, and national-system schools (German/French). Fees vary; examples below. Here, you can find general information on IB programs in Bulgaria, specifically the International Baccalaureate.
National-system (national curriculum) schools abroad in Sofia
• Deutsche Schule Sofia (German curriculum; part of the DAS/ZfA network).
• Lycée français Victor Hugo de Sofia (AEFE network; French Baccalauréat).
Where are the leading foreign-language schools (public) by city?
Below are representative (not exhaustive) examples of state language schools (“езикова гимназия”) and the language they are best known for:
- Sofia:
- 91st German Language High School “Prof. Konstantin Galabov” (German)
- First English Language School (English)
- 164th Spanish Language High School “Miguel de Cervantes” (Spanish)
- 9th French Language High School “Alphonse de Lamartine” (French)
- 133rd Secondary School “A. S. Pushkin” (Russian)
- Russian Lyceum (ЧСУ НИКАТОР) (Russian)
- Varna:
- First Language School (English, also other languages)
- Foreign Language School “Al. S. Pushkin” (Russian among first languages)
- Plovdiv: Language HS “Plovdiv” (English and German); Language HS “Ivan Vazov”
- Burgas:
- German Language HS “Goethe”; also English Language School “Geo Milev”
- PGChE “Vasil Levski” (Russian profile)
- Ruse: English Language School “Geo Milev” (English)
- Stara Zagora / Veliko Tarnovo / Blagoevgrad:
• Stara Zagora – FLHS “Romain Rolland” (noted for French and English)
• Veliko Tarnovo – FLHS “Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov” (French and English)
• Blagoevgrad – FLHS “Acad. Lyudmil Stoyanov”
How admission works
Placement into Grade-8 language schools is by preference list + scores from the Grade-7 national external assessments (Bulgarian language & Math). Eurydice
Tip: Keep a subject-hours transcript for Grades 8–12; it speeds up equivalence decisions at the RDE.
Which international/independent schools exist, and where?
Most international schools are located in Sofia; Varna has a smaller but growing international school scene.
Sofia (selected):
- Anglo-American School of Sofia (AAS) — Pre-K–12, IB DP; see fee schedule on site; the school is NEASC and CIS accredited.
- American College of Sofia (ACS) — Secondary (Grades ~8–12), American + IB DP.
- British School of Sofia (BSS) — Cambridge pathway, kindergarten, + IB DP, BSS College; COBIS/BSO accreditation.
- St. George International School & Preschool — Bulgarian curriculum integrated with Cambridge IGCSE/A-Levels.
- Zlatarski International School — Cambridge (Checkpoint/IGCSE) + IB DP; long-running IB school.
- Deutsche Schule Sofia — German DAS school; fees are published publicly.
- Lycée français Victor Hugo (AEFE) — French national curriculum, Baccalauréat.
- Russian Lyceum (ЧСУ НИКАТОР) — BG curriculum with expanded Russian and English.
Varna (selected):
- Varna American International School (VAIS) — American-style programme (K–12), fees online.
The IB Country page lists how many Bulgarian schools offer PYP/MYP/DP; check the live directory for the most current list – International Baccalaureate.
Coming from the UK/US (English), Germany, Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands, or France — what changes?
School year & placement
Bulgaria begins the school year around 15 September and ends in late May/June, depending on grade; placement is primarily age-based, with recognition of your child’s completed grade(s). A Regional Department of Education (RDE) issues recognition for Grades 7–12 (schools handle Grades 1–6). Bring report cards from the home country and subject/hour breakdowns; certified translations are required.
General age alignment (rough guide)
- UK Year 2 (~6–7) ≈ BG Grade 1 or 2, depending on DOB and prior schooling.
- Germany Klasse 2 (~7–8) ≈ BG Grade 2.
- Spain Primaria 3 (~8–9) ≈ BG Grade 3.
- Netherlands Groep 5 (~8–9) ≈ BG Grade 3–4.
- France CE2 (~8–9) ≈ BG Grade 3.
Final placement is determined case-by-case by the RDE/school based on documents, age, and learning profile (especially for Grade 8+, where subject sequencing matters).
Curriculum mindset
The Bulgarian path is content-dense and assessment-heavy (national tests after Grades 4, 7, 10; matriculation after 12). Elite tracks (math/language schools) select on Grade-7 results. Families coming from the Netherlands (early tracking into vmbo/havo/vwo) or Germany (Länder-specific tracks) will see tracking occur later in Bulgaria (after Grade 7).
If you need continuity with the home country system (e.g., Abitur, Baccalauréat, IB, IGCSE/A-Levels), choose Deutsche Schule Sofia, Lycée Victor Hugo, or an IB/Cambridge provider in Sofia; in Varna, VAIS provides an American-style option.
What Russian-language options exist in Bulgaria?
School year & placement
- Calendar: Mid-September to late May/June (by grade). Admissions to Grade 1 run via municipal rounds; selective Grade-8 entry uses national exams (after Grade 7).
- Placement: Age-based with recognition of prior schooling; Grades 7–12 equivalence is issued by the Regional Department of Education, Grades 1–6 by the school. International/private schools admit year-round (capacity-dependent).
General age alignment (rough guide)
- BG Grade 1 (age 6–7) ≈ UK Year 2, DE Klasse 2, ES Primaria 3, NL Groep 4–5, FR CE1–CE2 (adjusted case-by-case).
- Lower secondary BG (Grades 5–7) ≈ Sek I (DE/CH/AT lower), ESO (ES), Key Stages 3–4 early (UK years 7–9).
- Upper secondary BG (Grades 8–12 / Gymnasium) ≈ Sek II (DE/CH/AT), Bachillerato (ES), GCSE→A-Level/IB years (UK/Intl).
Curriculum mindset
- The Bulgarian pathway is content-dense and exam-centric (national assessments in Grades 4, 7, 10; DZI after Grade 12). Selection/tracking mainly happens at Grade 8 (profiled language/math/vocational).
You have three main pathways:
- State/municipal Bulgarian schools with strong Russian
Examples include 133rd Secondary School “A. S. Pushkin” (Sofia), a long-standing public school with a Russian tradition, and Foreign Language School “A. S. Pushkin” (Varna), where Russian can be a first foreign language from early grades. - Public foreign-language gymnasiums (Grade 8–12) with Russian profiles
A clear example is PGChE “Vasil Levski” (Burgas), which offers Russian as the first profile language alongside English/German. Entry is after Grade 7 national exams (standard for Bulgarian profiled schools). - Russian-oriented private schools / bilingual complexes
In Sofia, the Russian Lyceum (branded “ЧСУ НИКАТОР”) runs a private K-12 programme with expanded Russian and English. It also has kindergarten and arts tracks (e.g., ballet).
Additionally, there’s the Russian Embassy School in Sofia (a Russian MFA network school) for families seeking continuity in the Russian national curriculum. Contact/addresses are public via school/registry listings.
How do we enroll and get previous schooling recognized?
Step 1 — Choose school type & city. Consider commute and language support. Public Grade-1 admissions are municipal; Grade-8 admissions to selective schools use national exam results—more information at Eurydice.
Step 2 — Prepare documents. Originals + sworn Bulgarian translations of report cards and diplomas; a subject-hours transcript helps for Grades 8–12 equivalence. For Grades 7–12, apply to your Regional Department of Education (RDE) for a recognition certificate. The chosen school handles recognitions for grades 1 through 6. Processing is regulated and time-bound once the file is complete.
Step 3 — Bulgarian language support. Schools can provide additional Bulgarian as a foreign language (up to 12 months) to migrants; municipalities and language institutes (Goethe-Institut, Institut français de Bulgarie, and Instituto Cervantes Sofia) also offer courses.
Note to newcomers from the German educational system: “SEK” is a German-language label for lower/upper secondary; Bulgaria doesn’t use it. Suppose your child is in SEK I/II. In that case, you’ll map into Bulgarian lower secondary (5–7) or gymnasium (8–12), with public, language, vocational, and international routes to fit your horizon and language profile (Read more in this article).
Public or private? Which fits which family profile?
Public Bulgarian school (including language high schools) — suitable for:
- Families settling long-term who want full integration and Bulgarian fluency, particularly for children under ~10.
- Strong students aiming at selective language or mathematics schools after Grade 7; entry hinges on national assessments.
In all cases, Bulgarian language fluency is required.
Private international/bilingual school — suitable for:
- Families on rotational/short assignments, or who need continuity with IB / British / American / French / German / Russian pathways for later university admissions.
- Children transferring in mid-cycle (e.g., IGCSE Years 10–11; IB DP Years 11–12) where matching curricula matters. Check authorizations and accreditations (IBO, Cambridge, COBIS, CIS/NEASC).
Costs snapshot (illustrative, 2025/26; confirm with schools):
- AAS tuition/fees are public on school & data sites; BSS, St. George, Deutsche Schule, and AEFE publish fee info; public schools have no tuition and free textbooks.
How do grading and assessment differ?
Bulgarian schools use a 2–6 scale (6 = Excellent, 5 = Very Good, 4 = Good, 3 = Satisfactory, 2 = Fail). Completion of Grade 12, along with the two state matriculation exams, leads to the Diploma for Secondary Education. Secondary education is the second step in the educational system in Bulgaria, equivalent to the Gymnasium.
We don’t speak Bulgarian. Will our child cope?
Yes—with planning. Younger children usually adapt quickly; older students may benefit from an international programme or a language high school (if they already have strong Bulgarian to pass Grade-7 exams). Bulgarian-as-a-foreign-language support is available for migrant pupils up to 12 months.
Practical checklist (EU & non-EU families)
- Decide on public vs international. Consider length of stay, language, curriculum continuity, transport, and budget.
- Gather documents: last report card(s), transcript with subject hours (for Grades 8–12), birth certificate, vaccinations, proof of address for municipal placement; obtain sworn Bulgarian translations.
- Recognition:
- Grades 1–6: school principal handles equivalence.
- Grades 7–12: apply to RDE for a Recognition Certificate; processing is regulated once the dossier is complete—examples here: РУО-Варна (Varna regional department of education), and Ukraine Refugee Bulgaria.
- Language plan (if decided): ask the school about Bulgarian-as-a-foreign-language and bridging support. Pair with external courses if needed (Goethe-Institut, Institut français de Bulgarie, and Instituto Cervantes Sofia).
- Admissions timing: Grade-1 municipal windows in spring; Grade-7 exams in June; international schools accept applications year-round but fill fast—consult each school’s calendar and fee page.
Best-fit guidance by age (kids’ age at the time of moving)
- Ages 4–7: Public kindergarten/Grade 1 is ideal for linguistic immersion and social integration; preschool from age 4 is compulsory. Families on short postings may prefer an international preschool/primary.
- Ages 8–12: If staying long-term, public schools build Bulgarian quickly; consider bilingual private schools if you need English-medium continuity.
- Ages 13–15 (Grades 7–9): Decision point. Strong Bulgarian + ambition → prepare for language high schools after Grade 7. If arriving late or for a short stay, an IB/British/American track can prevent curriculum discontinuity.
- Ages 16–18 (Grades 10–12): Think university exit pathway (IB DP, A-Levels, Abitur, Baccalauréat, or Bulgarian DZI). Switching mid-cycle is easier within the same programme family.
Bulgarian DZI stands for Държавни зрелостни изпити — Bulgaria’s state matriculation (school-leaving) exams taken after Grade 12. Passing DZI earns the Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie (Secondary education, not German SEK), and the results are widely used for university admission in Bulgaria (some programs may also require their own entrance tests).
Notes on equity & outcomes
Recent OECD/Eurydice analyses confirm Bulgaria’s heavy use of national assessments for selection (not just monitoring) and ongoing reforms to balance subject loads and improve learning outcomes. This context explains the intensity of Grade-7 transitions and the prestige of language/mathematics schools.
References you can keep handy
- System & stages: Eurydice country pages (structure, admissions, assessments). Eurydice
- Compulsory preschool (age 4) & rights: Eurydice preschool article. Eurydice
- Bulgarian as a foreign language (support): Council of Europe report excerpts. Council of Europe
- Bulgarian Private Schools Association (Българска асоциация на частните училища)
- International schools & accreditations:
- International Baccalaureate
- Information from State.gov on AAS in Sofia
- British School of Sofia
- St. George
- International Schools Database – International schools in Sofia, Bulgaria
- DS Sofia
- AEFE
If you’re staying long-term and your child is under ~10, a public Bulgarian school (and later a language high school) gives excellent value and integration. If you need curricular continuity (IB/British/American/French/German/Russian) or a late arrival makes Bulgarian-medium learning impractical, choose an international or national-system school, mainly in Sofia (plus options in Varna). Both routes can lead to top universities—the key is aligning language, timing, and exit qualification to your family’s horizon in Bulgaria.
Related Resources:
- Gymnasium vs. SEK (Sekundarschule): What it Means When You Move to Bulgaria
- Universities in Bulgaria: FAQ for foreigners
- Renting a Home in Bulgaria: Practical FAQ for Newcomers
- Moving to Bulgaria: Can I bring my household goods, car, and pets?
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal, admissions, or educational counselling. Always confirm details with the Ministry of Education, your municipality, and the school.
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